Nice video that explains the features and benefits of the YardStash II for outdoor bike storage
Saturday, October 19, 2013
26 Ways to Store Your Bike (Indoor and Outdoors)
26 Ways to Store Your Bike (Indoor and Outdoors)
http://daily.sightline.org/2012/05/09/26-ways-to-store-your-bike/
http://daily.sightline.org/2012/05/09/26-ways-to-store-your-bike/
Thursday, July 25, 2013
YardStash Review: Makobi Scribe - A Mom's Perspective
YardStash Review: Makobi Scribe - A Mom's Perspective
I I drive my husband crazy with all of my OCD about cleaning. I cannot go
to bed if there are dirty dishes in the sink and if I have a deadline
to meet, I must have the carpets vacuumed. If my daughter is coming up
for a visit, you can catch me touching up the paint on the walls and
scrubbing the base boards. Another source of my obsession is our outdoor
stuff. I do not exactly care about keeping up with the Joneses but I
hate to have stuff all over the yard and the deck. I would be mortified
if someone came to visit and I had toys,
pool gear and other stuff strewn all over the yard. The problem for me
is that I have no place to store any of this. I do not have an outdoor shed or storage closet. The best I could do was buy plastic storage
containers and keep everything in there. The issue about that is if it
raines, nothing is protected. I had about given up when I came across YardStash, the solution to my troubles!
I was sent the YardStash II and I could not wait to get it set up. Caitlin and I took everything out and it took us about 15 minutes to get the Yard Stash erected. The YardStash II is very roomy (74” long x 30” deep x 65” high), has hooks inside to hang items and has its own carrying case. I set up my YardStash II on my deck but if you want to set it up in your yard, it comes with 4 stakes to secure it to the ground. The YardStash II is made of heavy duty polyester materials, has a reinforced floor, is weatherproof and has nice and strong zippers. I LOVE this product! I honestly am so dang happy with the YardStash II that I have told everyone I know about it! My neighbor, who also has no outdoor storage asked me where I found it! If you need a sturdy, portable and affordable storage solution for your outdoor gear, the YardStash II is perfect for you! You can purchase the YardStash II from their website for $124.95 (www.yardstash.com).
How To Organize Your Outdoor Gear
July 21, 2013 By
How To Organize Your Outdoor Gear
If you are a renter like me, you may be able to sympathize with me about the lack of outdoor storage. When we lived in an apartment, we had a little closet outside that could hold just a hand full of items. If you rent, you certainly do not want to purchase a storage shed that you would not be able to take with you if you moved. Until I heard about YardStash, I was at a loss as to how to find a way to organize your outdoor gear. This portable solution is exactly what you need in this situation!I was sent the YardStash II and I could not wait to get it set up. Caitlin and I took everything out and it took us about 15 minutes to get the Yard Stash erected. The YardStash II is very roomy (74” long x 30” deep x 65” high), has hooks inside to hang items and has its own carrying case. I set up my YardStash II on my deck but if you want to set it up in your yard, it comes with 4 stakes to secure it to the ground. The YardStash II is made of heavy duty polyester materials, has a reinforced floor, is weatherproof and has nice and strong zippers. I LOVE this product! I honestly am so dang happy with the YardStash II that I have told everyone I know about it! My neighbor, who also has no outdoor storage asked me where I found it! If you need a sturdy, portable and affordable storage solution for your outdoor gear, the YardStash II is perfect for you! You can purchase the YardStash II from their website for $124.95 (www.yardstash.com).
Friday, May 24, 2013
Sunday, March 24, 2013
YardStash Review by Commute by Bike
New
YardStash II – A Bike Crash Pad
by BluesCat
When we started remodeling our house last year we moved some
walls around, and we have had to resort to temporarily storing some
household goods in BluesCat World Headquarters, resulting in reduced
square footage available for bike parking.
One day, I made the mistake of grumbling about having all the bikes jammed together now, and having to climb over two or three bikes in order to get to the bike I wanted to ride.
“Well,” said my wife, “You should park some of them outside.”
I gave her a look which was a cross between an over-the-top double-take and an expression of abject horror. Surely, this loving, lifetime partner of mine knew full well that bikes belong in the house!
Evidently not, because she blithely added “You should go up the street to our nearest Big Box Home Improvement Center and check out what they have for backyard storage.” I thought about beginning the process of whining, screaming and thrashing around on the floor in protest (it seems to work on her for our two granddaughters), but it would have required more energy than I wanted to expend.
After an exhaustive tour of the acres of products in the DIY Home and Garden Center, not only did I start thinking that a tantrum might have actually require less energy, but I found that the most suitable and inexpensive plastic yard shed would run about $500 to $600, and would take hours to set up. Or I could pay the store to put it together and the total would go over $1,000. I knew this was definitely a deal breaker as I skipped happily back to the house and gave my spouse the joyful news.
The subject was dropped until I learned of the YardStash II. The YardStash is essentially a 74-inch long by 30-inch deep by 65-inch high bicycle camping tent selling for a mere $124.95 and promising a setup time of just ten minutes or so.
Other features of this product made it look like a pretty good solution for both me and The Missus.
As an experienced backpacker, and former Scout Leader, I was able to assemble the YardStash in far less time than 10 minutes; with only a cursory glance at the excellent instruction sheet.
Like a human camping tent, it comes with a set of fiberglass poles; each pole is in sections joined with shock cords. The poles snap together and fit through loops, hooks and grommets around the edges of the YardStash and give it a barn-like shape.
Unlike a camping tent, the YardStash is narrow enough — and at 16
pounds it is light enough — to be lifted up and moved to a different
location by one person.
After testing it in several places, I put it on a concrete slab on the south side of the house, up against the wall. I settled on that location because the YardStash has a floor made of a polyester fabric. Although all the material in the YardStash looks pretty tough, I’m certain that if I were to put it in the grass on the lawn, or on top of the rock bed around the swimming pool, I would have to make sure I added some planking underneath the floor or the bike kickstands would eventually poke holes in it.
There is a large, rectangular opening on the back of the YardStash
which is covered by a Velcro®-sealed flap. The whole purpose of this
flap is to be able to lock the bikes (and the YardStash) to a post or
wall.
I fastened a heavy duty tie-down loop to the house wall and ran a six foot length of grade 30 zinc coated chain through the opening, through the bike frames and through the bike wheels; locking the whole thing together with a hefty padlock. A would be thief is going to have to work pretty hard to steal my bikes.
All around the edge of the back wall of the YardStash are a series of extra grommets which are there for the express purpose of securing it to a wall so it doesn’t blow away in the wind. The door of the YardStash is closed via a pair of heavy duty zippers with weather flaps. One zipper loops from the upper left-hand corner of the door opening down to the lower right-hand corner, where it is met by the second zipper which runs horizontally from the lower left corner of the opening to the lower right corner.
Above the door is a nylon screen covered hole, a sort of gable vent
which allows the waterproof shell of the YardStash to breathe and keep
condensation from forming on the bikes inside. The gable vent has a
flap, with a Velcro® closure, so that it can be sealed in case of rain.
Speaking of rain, I thought I would have to resort to turning a
garden hose on the YardStash to test how waterproof it really is. But
the Phoenix weather cooperated in an astonishing fashion.
Two days after I set it up, we had an amazing — for Phoenix — downpour of more than half an inch of rain. And a few days after that we had an almost unheard of event: a wind-driven graupel storm. (“Graupel” — depending upon which “expert” talking-head TV weather person you’re listening to — is either “soft hail” or “hard snow.” It doesn’t matter what you call it, you can still make cute snowmen and deadly snowballs out of it.)
Through this whole apocalyptic series of weather events the YardStash kept my bikes dry. There wasn’t a hint of moisture inside the unit.
Someone brought up another possible weather related issue: how will the YardStash stand up to the brutal Arizona desert sun?
The answer is simple: It won’t.
But this should NOT be interpreted as a knock on the quality of the materials in the YardStash. Nothing can stand up to the blazing desert sun. House paint can’t, it typically has a much shorter lifespan than in other areas of the country. And if you don’t have a carport or garage, and you don’t religiously coat your brand new car finish every month with a wax containing a UV shield, in a couple of years your automobile will look like Mad Max’s Interceptor.
The key to helping anything to survive in the desert — including you — is providing shade.
I returned to the aforementioned Big Box Home Improvement DIY store
and for less than 20 bucks I got an eight foot diameter round plant
covering and a package of small bungee cords. The plant covering
material is a breathable, fine gauge nylon screen; it goes by several
names, depending on the manufacturer; the product I got was called
“Planket.” I spread it over the top and front of the YardStash, secured
it at some strategic points with some of the bungee cords, and it is a
pretty good “sun fly.” It takes less than a second to flip this cover up
out of the way of the door when I want to access the interior. I figure
it will last at least two years, maybe more, before I have to replace
it.
(Note to YardStash makers: You should make your own, customized version of this sun fly as an add-on accessory, and do it quick … before the BluesCat patents it and you haveta pay big bucks for a product license!)
The YardStash II has plenty of room for two bikes, and there are a couple of big hooks on the inside of the unit for hanging bags, helmets, or other stuff up off of the floor.
And how do the bikes like it?
Well, my two mountain bikes, with their trekking handlebars and other comforts,
in my eyes have a certain unconventional coolness to them. As I look at
them peeking out of the door of the YardStash, it’s like they’re saying
“Hey, Dude, we’re good being outdoors, you know. We’ll just crash here
until you get your … stuff … together!”
BluesCat
is a resident of Phoenix, Arizona, who originally returned to bicycling
in 2002 in order to help his son get the Boy Scout Cycling merit badge.
His bikes sat idle until the summer of 2008 when gas prices spiked at
over $4.00 per gallon. Since then, he has become active cycling,
day-touring, commuting by bike, blogging (azbluescat.blogspot.com) and giving grief to the forum editors in the on-line cycling community.
One day, I made the mistake of grumbling about having all the bikes jammed together now, and having to climb over two or three bikes in order to get to the bike I wanted to ride.
Yardstash II Bike Storage mounted against the wall.
I gave her a look which was a cross between an over-the-top double-take and an expression of abject horror. Surely, this loving, lifetime partner of mine knew full well that bikes belong in the house!
Evidently not, because she blithely added “You should go up the street to our nearest Big Box Home Improvement Center and check out what they have for backyard storage.” I thought about beginning the process of whining, screaming and thrashing around on the floor in protest (it seems to work on her for our two granddaughters), but it would have required more energy than I wanted to expend.
After an exhaustive tour of the acres of products in the DIY Home and Garden Center, not only did I start thinking that a tantrum might have actually require less energy, but I found that the most suitable and inexpensive plastic yard shed would run about $500 to $600, and would take hours to set up. Or I could pay the store to put it together and the total would go over $1,000. I knew this was definitely a deal breaker as I skipped happily back to the house and gave my spouse the joyful news.
Yardstash II Storage Bag
Other features of this product made it look like a pretty good solution for both me and The Missus.
As an experienced backpacker, and former Scout Leader, I was able to assemble the YardStash in far less time than 10 minutes; with only a cursory glance at the excellent instruction sheet.
Like a human camping tent, it comes with a set of fiberglass poles; each pole is in sections joined with shock cords. The poles snap together and fit through loops, hooks and grommets around the edges of the YardStash and give it a barn-like shape.
Unpacked
After testing it in several places, I put it on a concrete slab on the south side of the house, up against the wall. I settled on that location because the YardStash has a floor made of a polyester fabric. Although all the material in the YardStash looks pretty tough, I’m certain that if I were to put it in the grass on the lawn, or on top of the rock bed around the swimming pool, I would have to make sure I added some planking underneath the floor or the bike kickstands would eventually poke holes in it.
Locking Port — Outside
I fastened a heavy duty tie-down loop to the house wall and ran a six foot length of grade 30 zinc coated chain through the opening, through the bike frames and through the bike wheels; locking the whole thing together with a hefty padlock. A would be thief is going to have to work pretty hard to steal my bikes.
All around the edge of the back wall of the YardStash are a series of extra grommets which are there for the express purpose of securing it to a wall so it doesn’t blow away in the wind. The door of the YardStash is closed via a pair of heavy duty zippers with weather flaps. One zipper loops from the upper left-hand corner of the door opening down to the lower right-hand corner, where it is met by the second zipper which runs horizontally from the lower left corner of the opening to the lower right corner.
Locking Port – Inside with heavy duty tie-down loop anchored to the house wall
Grommet tabs anchored to wall
Two days after I set it up, we had an amazing — for Phoenix — downpour of more than half an inch of rain. And a few days after that we had an almost unheard of event: a wind-driven graupel storm. (“Graupel” — depending upon which “expert” talking-head TV weather person you’re listening to — is either “soft hail” or “hard snow.” It doesn’t matter what you call it, you can still make cute snowmen and deadly snowballs out of it.)
Through this whole apocalyptic series of weather events the YardStash kept my bikes dry. There wasn’t a hint of moisture inside the unit.
Someone brought up another possible weather related issue: how will the YardStash stand up to the brutal Arizona desert sun?
The little tent thinks it can protect those bikes. How adorable!
But this should NOT be interpreted as a knock on the quality of the materials in the YardStash. Nothing can stand up to the blazing desert sun. House paint can’t, it typically has a much shorter lifespan than in other areas of the country. And if you don’t have a carport or garage, and you don’t religiously coat your brand new car finish every month with a wax containing a UV shield, in a couple of years your automobile will look like Mad Max’s Interceptor.
The key to helping anything to survive in the desert — including you — is providing shade.
DIY Sunfly: Plant covering over the YardStash II
(Note to YardStash makers: You should make your own, customized version of this sun fly as an add-on accessory, and do it quick … before the BluesCat patents it and you haveta pay big bucks for a product license!)
The YardStash II has plenty of room for two bikes, and there are a couple of big hooks on the inside of the unit for hanging bags, helmets, or other stuff up off of the floor.
And how do the bikes like it?
Two bikes in the YardStash II
BluesCat
is a resident of Phoenix, Arizona, who originally returned to bicycling
in 2002 in order to help his son get the Boy Scout Cycling merit badge.
His bikes sat idle until the summer of 2008 when gas prices spiked at
over $4.00 per gallon. Since then, he has become active cycling,
day-touring, commuting by bike, blogging (azbluescat.blogspot.com) and giving grief to the forum editors in the on-line cycling community.Friday, March 8, 2013
Thursday, March 7, 2013
Monday, February 11, 2013
Tidy Tent Amazon US Reviews
Amazon US Tidy Tent reviews
By Caleb Chou
I had such high hopes for this products. We are very short on outdoor
storage and needed a place for our bikes. This was a perfect fit in many
ways. All went well for the first few months in spring. Then in the
summer, the tent started to rip (despite it being installed exactly the
way it was recommended). We managed to repair it (cost probably $18 of
tent tape) and it lasted thru the fall. Then winter came. More rips and
finally the poles broke. I guess I should be thankful it lasted one
outdoor season! These things are manufacturerd in England. Maybe the
weather there isn't as harsh as it is here in the Midwest. I would NOT
recommend this unless you are putting it somewhere that is already
fairly unexposed to the elements (included the sun).
2 of 2 people found the following review helpful
By Ms Bizzy
Amazon Verified Purchase
Purchased the Little Tike in August 2012 to store grandbabies bikes,
scooters and such. Really appreciate the spaceousness and although
light weight, it's very durable. They are 6 (twins) and they go in and
out of it often and the zipper has held up and no tears. Like other
reviewers, when it rains there is water puddles inside, but i drain it
right aways and no problems.
Thanks, I really like this little tike! (:>)
Thanks, I really like this little tike! (:>)
Was this review helpful to you?
1 of 1 people found the following review helpful
By Alan Minor
Amazon Verified Purchase
Blows over, poles broke, ruined everything I had inside from water
damage over a weekend I went out of town, one week after I had put it
up. Contacted seller multiple times, didn't return my emails, opened a
case with Amazon and since everything took so long and it wasn't within
14 days of buying it, they wouldn't refund my money. I am out $100 and
have no storage for my backyard.
YardStash II Reviews on Amazon - 4.6/5.0 Stars
YardStash II storage tent reviews on Amazon:
http://www.amazon.com/YardStash-II-Outdoor-Storage-Garden/product-reviews/B004QCZRIS/
http://www.amazon.com/YardStash-II-Outdoor-Storage-Garden/product-reviews/B004QCZRIS/
Tidy Tent Amazon UK Reviews
Tidy Tent storage tent Reviews on Amazon UK:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B001W17SXS
http://www.amazon.co.uk/product-reviews/B001W17SXS
Thursday, January 10, 2013
Moms outdoor storage ideas for the YardStash II - great feedback!
Interesting examples of how Moms would use or do use the YardStash II for Outdoor storage (http://iheartorganizing.blogspot.com/2012/04/iheart-giveaway-yardstash.html):
QUESTION: HOW WOULD YOU USE THE YARDSTASH II?
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thanks!
Sarah S.
Lindseyaylward@yahoo.com
cathyplus5.blogspot.com
Claire
seekingcharm.blogspot.com
essas coisas são muito caras e temos poucas opções
tenho duas filhas em uma casa pequena, então imagine a quantidade de brinquedos e bicicletas que temos em casa.
bjs até mais
Candy
~
Tas
sweetiesuzy@aol.com
ncmz02aug06@yahoo.com
I could use this for so many different storage needs. My mind is going a mile a minuet. I so have to order one. Thank you for sharing with us.
Cindy B
I love giveaways that are useful like this!
Kerri